Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announced the three final couples, selected from more than 100 entries, who are vying to win a free wedding currently valued at $80,000 in the company’s unique and memorable Southwest DC venue. The contest, which is inspired by the company’s upcoming production Fiddler on the Roof, asked couples to prove to Tevye, the show’s patriarch with five daughters of his own, why they are the perfect match for each other in order to win the wedding of their dreams. The three finalists include teachers and arts lovers Megan Thrift and Dan Deiter of Alexandria, VA, who met working on a theater production together; cartoonist Michael O’Sullivan and marketer Shawn G. Byers, who are Southwest DC residents and proof that opposites do attract; and quirky college sweethearts based in Upper Marlboro, MD, Kaisha S. Sutton and Quinton Huguely, who believe in genuine, long-lasting love.
As one final challenge, the top three finalists have been asked to share one family tradition they’ll be keeping and one new tradition they’ve established on their own. The winning couple will be chosen by Broadway veteran Jonathan Hadary, who will star as Tevye in the Arena Stage production, along with the show’s director, Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith, and will be announced Sept. 30.
The winning couple will receive a free wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception for up to 175 guests at the Mead Center for American Theater, with the wedding date set for Friday, Jan. 2 or Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015.
The full wedding package includes free use of the venue, catering and a wedding cake by RSVP Catering, décor by Design Foundry, music and lighting by Bruce Pike Productions, floral design, valet parking by MJ Valet, a bridal suite provided by Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC, an engagement portrait session by Cameron Whitman Photography, a photo booth from Poshbooth, wedding day photography by Steve and Jane, wedding day videography, event planning services by Belle Notte and Simply Breathe Events, a custom wedding hanger from Wedding Hanger Shop, an invitation to the Fiddler on the Roof official opening night performance and exclusive post-show party, and other surprises as planning progresses.
The second and third place couples will receive a free engagement photography session from Sam Hurd Photography and a pair of tickets to the official opening night of Fiddler on the Roof. All contestants will also be invited to attend a special sneak-peek performance of Fiddler on the Roof.
For additional information and photos of the top three couples, visit arenastage.org/winawedding. To view pictures from all of our contest applicants, visit pinterest.com/arenastage.